2015 Mojave Football Capsule

MOJAVE

League: Division I-A Sunset

Head coach: Joe Delgado, fifth season (20-19)

2014 record: 6-3 (4-3 Sunset, fifth)

Returning lettermen: 15

Returning starters: Eight offense; nine defense

Base offensive set: Spread

Base defensive set: 4-3

Top offensive players: QB Lamaja Cunningham (Sr.); RB Elijah Smoot (Sr.); WR Jaylon Delgado (Sr.); WR Deshone Wilson (Sr.)

Top defensive players: DT Daijon Payno (Sr.); MLB Kaleb Friedman (Sr.)

Top newcomers: WR/S Taiwan Braden (Jr.); RB/LB Khalid Walker (Jr.); OL/DL Tui Vergara (Sr.)

Key losses: RB Ty Flanagan; QB Zack Arave; C Frankie Contreras

Outlook: The Rattlers posted a strong record and had the Sunset League's Most Valuable Player in Ty Flanagan yet failed to make the playoffs last season.

Instead, Mojave finished in a five-way tie at 4-3, and missed the postseason because of tiebreakers.

Flanagan, who rushed for 1,266 yards and 16 TDs in earning first-team all-state honors, has graduated and is now playing at Idaho State.

But the Rattlers do return plenty of experience, although not necessarily at the skill positions where they also must replace graduated quarterback Arave.

Cunningham threw just nine passes as a backup last season, but did rush for 159 yards and two TDs on 20 carries. If he comes along quickly, the Rattlers could be a solid offensive team.

On defense, Payno was a first-team All-Sunset League defensive lineman and should anchor the line again along with Canyon Springs transfer Vergara. Vergara was a second-team All-Northeast League defensive tackle for the Pioneers.

Friedman is a hard-nosed linebacker who made the All-Sunset second team.

Delgado hopes this year's team shows more discipline, stays healthy and stays eligible.